Finding out who Vincent Van Patten Jr. actually is can feel a bit like a game of Texas Hold'em. You think you have the cards figured out, and then a new name hits the table. If you’ve spent any time watching the World Poker Tour or digging into 70s TV history, you know the Van Patten name is basically Hollywood royalty. But honestly, there’s often a huge mix-up between the patriarchs, the tennis pros, and the kids who grew up in the shadow of that massive "Eight Is Enough" legacy.
Most people searching for Vincent Van Patten Jr. are actually looking for the son of Vince Van Patten and actress Betsy Russell. Born on September 3, 1995, he’s part of a third generation of performers and athletes that have kept the family name in the headlines for over fifty years.
He isn't his father. He isn't his legendary grandfather, Dick. He’s his own person, though when your dad is a world-ranked tennis pro turned poker icon and your mom is the star of the Saw franchise, "normal" is a relative term.
The Van Patten Family Tree is Complicated
To understand the younger Vincent, you kinda have to look at the sheer weight of the family history he was born into. It starts with Dick Van Patten. If you grew up in the late 70s, Dick was the ultimate TV dad. But he wasn't just a sitcom star; he was a guy who loved the track and the cards.
That "gambling spirit" (the legal kind, mostly) trickled down. His son, the senior Vincent Van Patten, took that energy and turned it into a bizarrely successful multi-track career. He was a child actor, then he beat John McEnroe in professional tennis, then he became the voice of the World Poker Tour.
Growing up in that environment, Vincent Van Patten Jr. and his brothers, Richard and Jesse, weren't just Hollywood kids. They were athletes and creators by default. You’ve probably seen the name "Duke Van Patten" popping up lately too—that’s actually Richard, who uses Duke as his professional name. It's confusing, I know. Basically, if you meet a Van Patten in Malibu, there’s a 90% chance they’ve either been on a film set or have a mean backhand.
💡 You might also like: Kellyanne Conway Age: Why Her 59th Year Matters More Than Ever
Life in the Spotlight (Sorta)
Unlike his father, who was guest-starring on Bonanza and Adam-12 before he could drive, Vincent Jr. has lived a slightly more private life. Well, as private as you can be when your stepmother is Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
You might remember seeing the kids occasionally on Bravo. Those "reality" moments offered a glimpse into a family that is surprisingly tight-knit despite the Hollywood divorces and the constant shuffle of the industry.
There’s this misconception that every Van Patten is out there chasing a leading role. Honestly, while the creative itch is clearly in the DNA, Vincent Jr. hasn't followed the exact same "child star" blueprint his father did. He’s part of that 90s-born generation that had to navigate the transition from old Hollywood fame to the digital era.
Why People Get Him Mixed Up
Let’s clear something up. If you Google "Vincent Van Patten," you’re going to get the WPT commentator. If you Google "Vincent Van Patten Jr.," you get a mix of his father's early acting credits and the current life of the son.
- The Tennis Legacy: People often assume "Junior" is a tennis pro. While the family is athletic, the pro-tour days belong to the senior Vincent.
- The Poker World: Vince Sr. has been the face of poker for decades. Vincent Jr. has been seen around the circuit, but he isn't the one calling the "all-ins" on television.
- The Acting Credits: Because "Duke" (Richard) is very active in the acting scene right now—appearing in things like Pretty Smart on Netflix—people often swap the brothers' names.
It’s a lot to keep track of. But the reality is that the younger Vincent has mostly stayed away from the "teen idol" path that his dad walked. Instead, he’s lived a life that seems more focused on the behind-the-scenes world and the typical Malibu lifestyle—surfing, fitness, and staying close to his brothers.
📖 Related: Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The Betsy Russell Connection
You can't talk about Vincent Jr. without mentioning his mom, Betsy Russell. She was the ultimate "it girl" in the 80s with Private School and then became a horror icon as Jill Tuck in the Saw movies.
Vince Sr. and Betsy were married from 1989 to 2001. That decade-plus was really the height of the "Van Patten Clan" being a fixture in the Malibu social scene. When they split, it was a big deal in the tabloids, but they’ve famously remained friendly. That’s actually a rarity in this business. You’ll often see the whole extended family—Eileen Davidson included—celebrating birthdays together.
It’s that weird, blended, healthy Hollywood family dynamic that probably kept Vincent Jr. and his siblings grounded.
What is He Doing Now?
In 2026, the younger Vincent is in his late 20s. He’s matured into a role that is less about being a "celebrity kid" and more about his own interests. While he hasn't flooded the IMDB pages like his father or his brother Duke, he remains a key figure in the family’s business and social circles.
Whether it's supporting his dad’s film projects like 7 Days to Vegas or appearing at charity poker events, he’s a reminder that the Van Patten name isn't going anywhere. It’s just evolving.
👉 See also: Jeremy Renner Accident Recovery: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Key Takeaways on the Van Patten Legacy
If you're trying to keep the family straight, remember these points:
- The Father: Vince Van Patten (Tennis, WPT, Actor).
- The Son: Vincent Van Patten Jr. (Son of Betsy Russell, 90s born).
- The Brother: Richard "Duke" Van Patten (The one currently making big waves in acting).
- The Grandfather: Dick Van Patten (The TV legend).
Understanding Vincent Van Patten Jr. means looking past the search results that redirect you to his dad’s 1970s TV movies. He’s the bridge between the old-school Hollywood of his grandfather and the new, multi-media world of his brothers.
If you're looking to dive deeper into this family's history, the best place to start is watching some of the early World Poker Tour archives or checking out Duke Van Patten's recent work. It gives you a sense of the humor and the competitive drive that clearly defines every single person in that lineage. Keep an eye on the credits of indie films coming out of LA—usually, there’s a Van Patten involved somewhere, whether they’re in front of the camera or holding the deck of cards off-screen.
To get a true feel for the family dynamic, look for the 2019 film 7 Days to Vegas. It was written by Vince Sr. and features several family members. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to an inside look at the madness and the charm of being a Van Patten.